MADRID, SPAIN — England manager Thomas Tuchel believes his team are ready to end Spain’s remarkable 43-match unbeaten run when both sides meet in a decisive UEFA Nations League encounter in Madrid on Sunday, November 15.
Tuchel expressed confidence in his players ahead of the Group A3 showdown at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, describing the contest as a major opportunity to measure England’s progress against the reigning world champions.
Spain enter the encounter with an impressive record of 43 consecutive competitive matches without defeat, comprising 36 victories and seven draws. The run, according to the Spanish football federation, stretches back to March 28, 2023.
The unbeaten sequence has coincided with a successful period for Spanish football, with the national team winning major international honours, including the UEFA Nations League, European Championship and World Cup.
However, Tuchel believes Spain’s impressive statistics should not intimidate his players. He argued that even the strongest teams can be beaten, pointing to opportunities Spain had conceded in recent matches despite maintaining their winning momentum.
The England manager said his team were full of confidence and prepared to deliver the level of performance required to challenge Spain on their home ground.
He described Sunday’s encounter as a significant test of his footballing philosophy and the progress England have made under his leadership. The German coach also sees the match as an opportunity to establish whether his players can impose their style against one of the strongest teams in international football.
England’s confidence has been strengthened by their recent performances in the Nations League. They recovered from their opening defeat against Spain to win four consecutive matches, including a 2-1 victory over Croatia at Wembley on Thursday.
Morgan Rogers opened the scoring against Croatia before Petar Sučić equalised. England captain Harry Kane subsequently converted a penalty to secure all three points.
The victory also secured England’s qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals and marked a special occasion for Kane, who became the country’s most-capped men’s international with 126 appearances.
Tuchel acknowledged that Spain would present a different challenge from Croatia, but insisted that England must maintain their attacking mentality rather than approach the match with excessive caution.
He wants his players to use their physical strength, attack with purpose and exploit opportunities whenever Spain lose possession. England will also need to remain defensively organised against a side known for its technical ability, possession-based football and dangerous attacking combinations.
Spain, managed by Luis de la Fuente, will approach the match knowing that a draw is sufficient to secure first place in Group A3. The Spanish team have collected 15 points from five matches, while England have 12.
The first meeting between the countries at Wembley in September ended in a 3-2 victory for Spain. Consequently, England must win in Madrid and overturn the head-to-head deficit to finish above the Spanish side.
Both countries have already secured qualification for the quarter-finals, but winning the group remains important because it offers a more favourable position in the knockout-stage arrangements.
The encounter also carries additional significance as England continue preparations for the 2028 European Championship. Tuchel wants his players to demonstrate that they can compete consistently against elite international opposition and translate their recent improvement into performances against major tournament contenders.
For Spain, extending the unbeaten sequence would further strengthen their position among international football’s leading teams. Their recent performances have established them as a formidable opponent, although the pressure of protecting such a record could add another dimension to Sunday’s contest.
The match will also bring renewed attention to the rivalry between two of Europe’s most prominent football nations. England will be seeking to avenge their September defeat, while Spain will aim to maintain their winning momentum and finish the group stage without losing.
With first place at stake and both teams already through to the quarter-finals, Sunday’s meeting promises to be an important examination of their respective ambitions.
Tuchel has made his position clear: England are travelling to Madrid believing they can win. Whether they can turn that confidence into a historic victory will be decided on the pitch.
